The Model 48 Classic; what do you think?

vigil617

vigil617

US Veteran
Joined
May 25, 2012
Messages
6,501
Reaction score
14,222
Location
Greenville, NC
The Model 48 Classic, aka the 48-7, is S&W's most recent (2010) iteration of the venerable Model 48 series. It's a blued.22 WMR in 4" or 6" barrel versions, with new wood S&W diamond-style target grips, adjustable sights, target trigger, and target hammer. Seems a nice piece, and with an MSRP of almost a grand, it should be.

What do you think of these compared to the Model 48 series of years past? A worthy successor, or a pretender to the throne?

I ask because I am interested in this series, and want to invest my money wisely in a revolver that will be a shooter, not a safe queen. Should I go old-school (and with the necessary expense therein), or the newest model with its bells and whistles?
 
I am old. I like old guns! That does not mean wouldn't take a new 1. It means that I don't pay attention to the new ones. Have a 625JM, and enjoy it. Everything else is 80's back. Bob
 
Anybody else want to help a brother out?

If not the Model 48 Classic, how about any of the other Classic models that S&W has come out with? As good as the old, Internal Lock aside?

I like old stuff too, and as long as it still functions well, and I can get it (preferably with the box and stuff), I'm just as happy with old-school. The older stuff can be expensive, though!
 
As a shooter .22 mag I prefer the 6" (original version, K-22 MRF).The price difference wouldn't be great and an old one would hold its value better.

Make sure you factor in the price of ammo as well- the Mag. ammo is expensive.

If you don't already have one an early K-22, or K-38 if you reload, might be better choices financially.

Good luck with whatever you choose.
 
I have a Model 48 from the first year of production. It's comfortably old, which makes it, and all its parts familiar to me. Engineering changes and improvements made since 1959 would make a new gun a little unfamiliar to me. Things like MIM parts, yoke retention systems, and changes in screw pitch & placement, while not necessarily bad, don't make the gun more attractive to me.

I hope the factory continues to sell lots of new guns, and grow in terms of increased revenue. But, sadly, I won't be a participant in the exciting world of new & innovative Smith & Wessons. I really like the ones that I already own.
 
If they're anything like my 4" mod 48 no dash, you'll need to carry a stiff brush with you, because the powder doesn't burn compleatly. Flakes of unburnt powder work their way under the extractor, and gum up the cylinder. Not a fatal flaw, just a pain.
 
I purchased a NIB 48-2, box, papers and tools, in about 1983. Ten years ago I added a 22 LR cylinder to it. I carried it more on the trail than any other handgun. Then the 617 came out and I really liked the way the full lug 'hangs' there in place for me while shooting offhand. I got one and then recently added a 22 WRM cylinder to it. Despite the small differences in barrel sizing, the 22 WRMs in the 617 are more accurate than the 22 LRs are in the 48. I like both handguns very much. Someday, the M 48 will be sold and later my grandsons can cut cards for the M 617. ................ Big Cholla
 
I have the new 48 classic with 4" barrel and love it. It's very accurate and looks great . I also have a 648 which is just as accurate probably more . I had a 48-3 with 8 3/8" but sold it in a moment of stupidity , anyhow any 48 is a great gun . I particularly like the partridge sight on my 48-7.
 
lscocoa said:
I have the new 48 classic with 4" barrel and love it. It's very accurate and looks great . I also have a 648 which is just as accurate probably more . I had a 48-3 with 8 3/8" but sold it in a moment of stupidity , anyhow any 48 is a great gun . I particularly like the partridge sight on my 48-7.
Click to expand...

Am very happy with my 48-7 also-esp. its accuracy-better than my four other S&Ws. Sure, I really like the old revolvers too-had a M17-3, and have a 18-4, 51, 63 and appreciate the workmanship on these-but my 48-7 is a fine piece too and have no regrets purchasing it.

M48-7_zps08749f42.jpg
 
I have a new 48-7 in six inch. In shooting found the term magnum is appropriate as way more powerful than would expect if not familiar with the WRM. I see where six round 617 new style cylinders are out there for sale, so wondering if my 48-7 would match up for that conversion so as to shoot .22 long rifles ?
 
Last edited:
Izzydog said:
If they're anything like my 4" mod 48 no dash, you'll need to carry a stiff brush with you, because the powder doesn't burn compleatly. Flakes of unburnt powder work their way under the extractor, and gum up the cylinder. Not a fatal flaw, just a pain.
Click to expand...

Been there,done that.Mine wouldn't run more than two cylinders without attention.Happy to see the 48 go (not to mention it was loud!). I'll stick with a .22 or a .38.
I have owned a Model 18 Classic and thought it was a good gun.
 
Last edited:
I'm having the same dilemma regarding a Model 27 Classic with a 4" barrel. It may be the only way I'm able to shoot and put a 27 in the safe. Buy the 48 now and add later date companion pieces in the future if you still crave an "old" one.
 
Last edited:
A few weeks back I had my no-dash 48 at the range. A fellow showed up with a new Classic 48. Of course we had to share, so I shot his and he shot mine. Remarkably, both guns were very similar. Mine had a slightly smoother action which you would expect for a gun with a lot of rounds down the pipe.

I'm glad I have an early 48 but wouldn't hesitate to get a Classic 48 if I wanted one. .22 Mag is a great, fun cartridge. Very accurate and a good little hunter too.
 
I'd like to get a new "classic" 48. Have checked them out in a LGS and liked what I saw.

I'd go with the 6" version as 22 mag needs some barrel length to reach it's full potential. I'm not going to carry it anyway, so the extra 2" has no downside.
 
I can't comment on the caliber as I don't own one, but the classic line looks very nice, IMHO. Yes, the naysayers will complain about the lock and MIM parts, but Ogg probably complained when Grog came up with a spear instead of a club. I've posted elsewhere that when I took apart my 617 to work on the trigger, I was very impressed with the finish on the MIM parts in that they required no honing to remove machine marks. I own 3 late model S&W's with the lock and MIM parts and can't say anything bad about any of them. In full disclosure though, I did disable the lock on my 500 because it's a carry in the woods defense gun, and my cautious side told me to do it.

Unless someone can state why the Classics aren't good firearms, I would take remarks of preference with a grain or two of salt. And remember, you're buying the gun for you, not them.
 
When I saw the title of this thread, I clicked on it to respond, and to my surprise, I saw I was the OP! :o:D:)

Well, just to finish the story....

I did buy the Classic 48 and kept it for several months. It was a blast to shoot, and I had no complaints whatsoever. It was pretty too! At that time, they were selling in the $800 range on GB, and I found one for around $650 that was like new so I popped for it right away.

For reasons having nothing to do with my satisfaction with the gun, I did sell it eventually. I would heartily endorse it to anyone who enjoys shooting 22 Magnum which, despite it being about three times as expensive as 22LR, makes up for the cost difference in sound, flash, and just pure fun. :)
 
I'm finding that "Bang for the Buck" my model 18-3 with high Velocity .22 long rifles has enough bark and plenty of accuracy at the range as apposed to the somewhat expensive to shoot
48. Not understanding this .22 Mag ammo shortage of major on-line ammo sellers also. They list "sold out" with all manufacturers most times? In contacting them stores say "the shortage is because of demand"? Box of .22 L.R. can be had for $3.85 for 50,, .22 mag three or four times that price, and they're all sold out, hummmm. My story is,,,, instead of hunting down a L.R. cylinder for my new 48-7 found a N.O.S. 17-4 in 8 3/8. Problem is, it's unshot and a great find so hesitant to start running bricks of rounds through it.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

ImDrRich
What say you on the new blue Model 36?
Replies
10
Views
512
NY-1
NY-1
T
Model 29-5 classic
Replies
8
Views
481
stansdds
S
T
Model 29 Classic Hunter
Replies
14
Views
909
BC38
BC38
F
Heavily Modified 10-7 What do I have?
2
Replies
37
Views
2K
Sevens
S
zogger
New Model 586-8, What is the DA Trigger Weight?
Replies
3
Views
288
zogger
zogger

Latest posts

Back
Top